Fair Game: A Young Girl's Odyssey Through the Not-So-Fabulous 50s - Softcover

Fran Gabino

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1886028524 ISBN 13: 9781886028524

Publisher: Savage Pr, 2001

Synopsis

Everyone keeps score. Life is a game. But is it fair?

In the 1950s, on the football field, the dance floor or the back seat of the family Buick, all was fair in love and war. As a freshman in high school, Fran Gabino wandered onto the playing field looking for love in all the wrong faces. Like Delores Price in Wally Lamb's "She's Come Undone," Gabino exposes the inner ordeals of girl-hood, only this is the 1950's. Her exquisite teenage recollections practically giggle on the page. Like Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes," Gabino gives the reader full bodied, red blooded, sweating, in-the-flesh characters. Her attention to details of the era are superb.

The intriguing cast, set in hypnotic scenes of poverty and social change, weaves a fascinating tale of life in the 1950s. It's all in "Fair Game:" joy, love, happiness and delight; fear, loathing, bigotry and confusion. And if the compelling humanity of this grand story isn't enough, Gabino's innate storytelling ability carries the reader along effortlessly. Reviewer Kyle Eller said of her first book, "Crocodile Tears and Lipstick Smears," - "Gabino brings a secret weapon, a genuine gift for language. She writes with wit, verve and style."

The only thing that has changed is, Fran Gabino's gotten even better at telling her stories. "Fair Game" is a must read. Let the games begin!

About this title

About the Author

Born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin Frances graduated from Wm. C. Bryant Grade School in 1949, from Central High School in 1953. Her first job was at Western Electric, Duluth, MN. In 1955 she lived in Chicago for a short time, returned to Superior and worked at Crystal Waters Lodge, Grand Rapids, MN. Back in Chicago in 1956, she began her thirty-four year tenure at American National Bank & Trust Company, 33 N. LaSalle St.; as a company cafeteria employee, rising from various clerical positions, to Security Vault Manager. During her years at American National, Frances attended classes at the YMCA, Chicago City Junior College and Northeastern Illinois Univ.; where, at the latter institution in 1989, she received her BA degree in Communications/Creative Writing.

During her Chicago years Frances traveled extensively in Greece, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Norway, as well as the United States. She was married to the late Ernesto Garcia Gabino from 1959 to 1972. She is a double cancer survivor.

In 1990 Frances took early retirement and returned to Superior, working for Manpower Inc., Duluth, MN; Garon Knitting and K-Mart, Superior, followed by five years as a home-care provider. At present she is employed part-time at The Big K-Mart in Superior.

Since returning to Superior, Frances has attended writing workshops at The Depot, Duluth, MN; Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, IA and at Fregus Falls Community College, Fergus Falls, MN. Besides creative writing, her interests include Genealogy, History and Norwegian culture. She is a life-member of Sons of Norway.

Edition details

• Publisher: Savage Pr
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1886028524
• ISBN 13: 9781886028524
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 406